Murwillumbah (NSW)
- Monday, 19 August 2002 00:00
TRACK: GOOD
RAIL: TRUE
RACE – 1 – TRANSITIONAL HANDICAP 1200 METRES
D COLEMAN, rider of ANOTHER SOUTHERN, said his mount was slow to begin and was subsequently further back in the filed then intended. He added that he was momentarily held up approaching the hometurn, which allowed the leaders to skip away and his mare took some time to regain her momentum. Approaching the 150 metres MORINGA’S ORIENTAL was momentarily crowded when YES DOES (P G BIRNEY) shifted in slightly. Jockey BIRNEY was advised to use more care.
RACE – 2 – CLASS 4 HANDICAP 1000 METRES
AMPLIFIED was awkward to begin. MUKANIC overraced early and raced awkwardly with its head in the air. Approaching the hometurn the gelding again got its head up when momentarily held up and was shifted out to obtain a clear run. M CRAWFORD, rider of ROMAN COUNTY, advised he dropped his whip near the 300 metres. G COLLESS, rider of NEMOV, reported his saddle shifted near the 500 metres and approaching the 400 metres he kicked both feet out of his irons. He added although he was placed at some disadvantage, he was able to ride his mount out. Due to some soreness after the race G COLLESS forfeited the remainder of his rides. Near the 150 metres MORINGA BLUE was steadied when crowded by NEMOV, which shifted in. Considering the circumstances no direct action was taken against G COLLESS, however, he was issued with a severe reprimand and was advised despite the circumstances a repetition may result in more direct action being taken.
RACE – 3 – CLASS 1 HANDICAP (F & M) 1000 METRES
FAIRY QUEEN bounded in the air at the start and bumped TELL YOU TRUE. LITTLE PIG made the first turn awkwardly. LIMERICK LACE was slow to begin and then was held up and unable to improve from rounding the hometurn until near the 50 metres.
RACE – 4 – MAIDEN PLATE (DIV 2) 1400 METRES
APP H O’HARA, rider of STAND TO OVATION, which was pulled up out of the race, reported her mount jumped awkwardly and then commenced to hang out severely. A post race vet exam revealed lacerations to the right fore and hind leg and its right fore plate shifted. Trainer P WHEATLEY was advised STAND TO OVATION must trial prior to racing again. A post race vet examination of LA BERET revealed the filly suffered lacerations to both hind legs and was shin sore in the right fore leg. When questioned as to why MELVA MAY raced in a rearward position, as opposed to its previous few starts, jockey G BAKER explained, although he was instructed to race handy the mare failed to show her usual speed so he elected to pull back and take up a position closer to the rails. He added once he obtained that position he was then awkwardly placed and crowded to the inside of TOO DARK, which shifted in slightly. He added he was able to move forward from the 500 metres but had difficulty avoiding FIRE ANT, which was shifting ground. Trainer P SMITH said although he expected MELVA MAY to be racing in a more handy position he accepted the reasons presented by
G BAKER and was happy with the mares run. BAKER and SMITH were advised that their explanations will be noted. They were further advised that after the Stewards review betting records and the evidence already presented they may be required to answer further questions.
RACE – 5 – MAIDEN PLATE (DIV 1) 1400 METRES
ALMIGHTY STIRRER was slow to begin. OF ARABIA was carried wide rounding the 1200 metres turn. MISS ENTREVEAUX overraced in the middle stages and was steadied away from the heels of WORTHY REWARD. MEMPHIS TENNESSEE was unable to obtain a clear run in the straight and went to the line without being tested. A post race vet exam of WHO’S ALICE revealed the mare bled. Trainer
L SCHMIDT was advised of the provisions under AR 53A(4). APP Z PURTON was fined $200 under AR 142, for failing to weigh in on OF ARABIA, which finished third. He was further severely reprimanded, under AR 83(a) for comments made on leaving the Stewards Room.
RACE – 6 – CLASS 1 (E & G) HANDICAP 1000 METRES
G BAKER replaced C FRANKLIN (overweight) as the rider of SILVER MAC. C FRANKLIN was subsequently fined $100 under AR 120(b). After arriving at the barriers SPANKSTER was inspected by the vet who reported the gelding to be lame in the right hind leg. Acting on that report SPANKSTER was declared a late withdrawal at 3:38pm with the following deductions in the dollar on the face value of the ticket paid less 23 cents win, 18 cents place. All money invested on SPANKSTER was refunded in full. Rounding the hometurn VE EYE PE (C SMALL), which was hanging in badly, shifted in and crowded LUCKY EYES, which was checked. When C SMALL attempted to relieve the pressure, he shifted out and hampered PERSONAL LOOK and DARTANYON. Considering the circumstances no action was taken, however, C SMALL was advised to use more care.
RACE – 7 – CLASS 4 HANDICAP 1400 METRES
After arriving on course PROUD FORTUNE was examined by the vet who reported the gelding suffered a minor laceration to its left nostril whilst en-route to the races, however, was fit to start. On leaving the saddling enclosure TUNISIA bumped its right hip on the gate. The mare was examined by the vet and was passed fit to start.
RACE – 8 – CLASS 2 HANDICAP 1510 METRES
IT’S GRAND blundered at the start, was then crowded and lost ground. Near the 1000 metres SUMMER WALTZ (NZ) was checked when racing to the inside of HEAVENLY SONNET and SNOOPS. As there was no conclusive evidence, no direct action taken, however, all riders involved were asked to take more care. When questioned into the reason WIMBLEDON HERO raced back in the field as opposed to its previous two starts APP D GAY said he was instructed to do so and was not aware of the geldings recent racing pattern. Trainer B THORNTON will be questioned at a later date.
SUMMARY OF ACTION TAKEN
Race 2 - G COLLESS - Severe Reprimand - AR 137(a)
Race 4 - STAND TO OVATION - To Trial
Race 5 - WHO’S ALICE - Bled
Race 5 - APP Z PURTON - Fine $200 - AR 142 - Sev Rep - AR 83(a)
Race 6 - APP C FRANKLIN - Fine $100 - AR 120(b)
Race 6 - SPANKSTER - Lte Scr - Deductions